MicroRNAs expression profiles as diagnostic biomarkers of gastric cancer: a systematic literature review

Objective: The early identification of gastric cancer (GC) represents a major clinical challenge. We conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating the miRNA expression profiling as a diagnostic tool in GC.

Methods: We performed a search of PubMed, ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS databases for studies on diagnostic miRNAs and GC, published in English up to October 2017. Eligibility criteria included case-control studies evaluating blood or tissue-based miRNA expression profiles, and incorporating at least two detection phases (screening and validation).

Results: We included 27 eligible studies, that reported on 97 deregulated miRNAs either in blood or tissue, out of which 30 were reported in at least two studies. Among 22 studies on tissue-diagnostic miRNAs, 13 consistently upregulated miRNAs (miR-214, miR-21, miR-103, miR-107, miR-196a, miR-196b, miR-7, miR-135b, miR-222, miR-23b, miR-25, miR-92 and miR-93), and six consistently downregulated miRNAs (miR-148a, miR-375, miR-133b, miR-30a, miR-193a and miR-204) were reported. Ten miRNAs with inconsistent direction of expression in tissues were identified. Among the five studies performed on blood samples, only one miRNA was consistently upregulated (miR-20a).

Conclusions: This review shows that some tissue or blood miRNAs may be considered as potential biomarkers for GC diagnosis, that urgently needs to be confirmed from large prospective studies.     

Modification of miRNA Expression through plant extracts and compounds against breast cancer: Mechanism and translational significance

BackgroundCancer is hyper-proliferative, multi-factorial and multi-step, heterogeneous group of molecular disorders. It is the second most reported disease after heart diseases. Breast carcinoma is the foremost death causing disease in female population worldwide. Cancer can be controlled by regulating the gene expression. Current therapeutic options are associated with severe side effects and are expensive for the people living in under-developed countries. Plant derived substances have potential application against different diseases like cancer, inflammation and viral infections.HypothesisThe mechanism of action of the medicinal plants is largely unknown. Targeting gene network and miRNA using medicinal plants could help in improving the therapeutic options against cancer.MethodsThe literature from 135 articles was reviewed by using PubMed, google scholar, Science direct to find out the plants and plant-based compounds against breast cancer and also the studies reporting their mechanistic route of action both at coding and noncoding RNA levels.ResultsNatural products act as selective inhibitors of the cancerous cells by targeting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes or altering miRNA expression. Natural compounds like EGCG from tea, Genistein from fava beans, curcumin from turmeric, DIM found in cruciferous, Resveratrol a polyphenol and Quercetin a flavonoid is found in various plants have been studied for their anticancer activity. The EGCG was found to inhibit proliferative activity by modulating miR-16 and miR-21. Similarly, DIM was found to down regulate miR-92a which results to modulate NFkB and stops cancer development. Another plant-based compound Glyceollins found to upregulate miR-181c and miR-181d having role in tumor suppression. It also found to regulate miR-22, 29b and c, miR-30d, 34a and 195. Quercetin having anti-cancer activity induce the apoptosis through regulating miR-16, 26b, 34a, let-7g, 125a and miR-605 and reduce the miRNA expression like miR-146a/b, 503 and 194 which are involved in metastasis.ConclusionTargeting miRNA expression using natural plant extracts can have a reverse effect on cell proliferation; turning on and off tumor-inducing and suppressing genes. It can be efficiently adopted as an adjuvant with the conventional form of therapies to increase their efficacy against cancer progression.     

MiR-26b-3p regulates osteoblast differentiation via targeting estrogen receptor α

BackgroundUnderstanding of the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs involved in osteoblast differentiation is important for the treatment of bone-related diseases.MethodsMC3T3-E1 cells were induced to osteogenic differentiation by culturing with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). After transfected with miR-26b-3p mimics or inhibitors, the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by ALP and ARS staining. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT. The expressions of miR-26b-3p and osteogenic related markers and signaling were examined by qPCR and western blot. Direct binding of miR-26b-3p and ER-α were determined by dual luciferase assay.ResultsmiR-26b-3p was significantly down-regulated during osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of miR-26b-3p inhibited osteoblast differentiation, while inhibition of miR-26b-3p enhanced osteoblast differentiation. Further studies demonstrated miR-26b-3p inhibited the expression of estrogen receptor α (ER-α) by directly targeting to the CDS region of ER-α mRNA. Overexpression of ER-α rescued the suppression effects of miR-26b-3p on osteoblast differentiation, while knockdown of ER-α reversed the upregulation of osteoblast differentiation induced by knockdown of miR-26b-3p.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that miR-26b-3p suppresses osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells via directly targeting ER-α.     

miR-30 inhibits the progression of osteosarcoma by targeting MTA1

Objectives:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered as a new class of novel diagnostic and predictive biomarker in many diseases. However, there are few studies on miRNA in osteosarcoma (OS). This study aimed to investigate the roles of miR-30 on OS occurrence and development.Methods:PCR was used to detect mRNA levels of miR-30 and MTA1 in cancer tissues, adjacent non-cancerous tissues from OS patients. Western blot was used to detect MTA1 protein expression in all tissues and cell lines (hFOb1.19,Saos-2, MG63, and U2OS). The correlation between miR-30 and MTA1 was predicted through bioinformatics software, and identified by a luciferase reporting experiment. In vitro, functional test detected the specific effects of miR-30 and MTA1 on the development of OS.Results:miR-30 expression was significantly reduced, while the expression of MTA1 was increased in OS tissues and cells. Luciferase reporting experiment showed that miR-30 sponged MTA1 which was negatively correlated with miR-30 expression. Furthermore, rescue tests revealed that MTA1 restrained the functions of miR-30 on cell proliferation and migration of OS.Conclusion:Our finding showed that miR-30 modulated the proliferation and migration by targeting MTA1 in OS.     

The miR-15/107 Group of MicroRNA Genes: Evolutionary Biology, Cellular Functions, and Roles in Human Diseases

The miR-15/107 group of microRNA (miRNA) gene is increasingly appreciated to serve key functions in humans. These miRNAs regulate gene expression involved in cell division, metabolism, stress response, and angiogenesis in vertebrate species. The miR-15/107 group has also been implicated in human cancers, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we provide an overview of the following: (1) the evolution of miR-15/107 group member genes; (2) the expression levels of miRNAs in mammalian tissues; (3) evidence for overlapping gene-regulatory functions by different miRNAs; (4) the normal biochemical pathways regulated by miR-15/107 group miRNAs; and (5) the roles played by these miRNAs in human diseases. Membership in this group is defined based on sequence similarity near the mature miRNAs' 5′ end: all include the sequence AGCAGC. Phylogeny of this group of miRNAs is incomplete; thus, a definitive taxonomic classification (e.g., designation as a “superfamily”) is currently not possible. While all vertebrates studied to date express miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-16, miR-103, and miR-107, mammals alone are known to express miR-195, miR-424, miR-497, miR-503, and miR-646. Multiple different miRNAs in the miR-15/107 group are expressed at moderate to high levels in human tissues. We present data on the expression of all known miR-15/107 group members in human cerebral cortical gray matter and white matter using new miRNA profiling microarrays. There is extensive overlap in the mRNAs targeted by miR-15/107 group members. We show new data from cultured H4 cancer cells that demonstrate similarities in mRNAs targeted by miR-16 and miR-103 and also support the importance of the mature miRNAs' 5′ seed region in mRNA target recognition. In conclusion, the miR-15/107 group of miRNA genes is a fascinating topic of study for evolutionary biologists, miRNA biochemists, and clinically oriented translational researchers alike.     

miR-1290 promotes IL-8-mediated vascular endothelial cell adhesion by targeting GSK-3β

Background

MicroRNA-1290 (miR-1290) has been reported to be involved in many diseases and play a key role during the development process. However, the role of miR-1290 in atherosclerosis (AS) is still unclear.

Methods and results

The current study showed that the expressions of miR-1290 were high in serum of patients with hyperlipidemia. The functional role of miR-1290 were then investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we found that miR-1290 expressions were notably enhanced in HUVECs mediated by IL-8. miR-1290 inhibitor repressed monocytic THP-1 cells adhesion to HUVECs by regulating ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, inhibited proliferation through regulating cyclinD1 and PCNA, and inhibited inflammatory response by regulating IL-1β. Mechanistically, we verified that miR-1290 mimic was able to directly target the 3′-UTR of GSK-3β mRNA using luciferase reporter assay. Knockdown of GSK-3β (si-GSK-3β) promoted HUVECs adhesion and the expression of IL-1β, and partially restore the depression effect of miR-1290 inhibitor on HUVECs adhesion and inflammation. In contrast, si-GSK-3β inhibited the proliferation of HUVECs and the expression of cyclinD1 and PCNA.

Conclusions

In summary, our study revealed that miR-1290 promotes IL-8-mediated the adhesion of HUVECs by targeting GSK-3β. However, GSK-3β is not the target protein for miR-1290 to regulate the proliferation of HUVECs. Our findings may provide potential target in atherosclerosis treatment.

     

LncRNA TUG regulates osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via miRNA-204/SIRT 1

Objective:To explore the regulation of LncRNA TUG /miRNA-204/SIRT1 pathway on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), so as to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis.Methods:Detect changes of LncRNA and miRNA expression predicted in post-differentiation BMSCs with Western blot and qPCR tests. Verify the regulatory relationship between LncRNA and miRNA, miRNA and SIRT1 through the luciferase reporter assay. Transfect recombinant plasmids with LncRNA and their shRNA or transfected miRNA mimics and inhibitors.Results:According to the bioinformatic prediction, LncRNA TUG/miR-204 affected the regulation of SIRT1 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which were consistent with the results of luciferase reporter assay, namely, there are direct regulation targets between LncRNA TUG and miR-204, miR-204 and SIRT1. Overexpression and knockdown experiments revealed that LncRNA TUG overexpression/knockdown down/up-regulated miR-204 expression, which otherwise increased/decreased SIRT1 levels, and was positively correlated with osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Conversely, miR-204 was negatively correlated with LncRNA TUG and SIRT1, and negatively regulated osteogenic differentiation.Conclusion:This study found the direct regulatory relationship of LncRNA TUG/miR-204/SIRT1 during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and revealed that SIRT1 positively regulates the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which provides a theoretical basis and potential therapeutic targets for a series of osteogenic differentiation-related diseases including osteoporosis.     

Role of miR-21 and its signaling pathways in renal diseases

Abstract

miRNAs are endogenous non-coding RNAs that are ～22 nucleotides in length and can have structural, enzymatic and regulatory functions. miRNAs play important roles in the progression of renal fibrosis. miR-21, through a feed-forward loop and a downstream mediator of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), amplifies TGF-β signaling and promotes fibrosis. miR-21 is high on the list of non-coding, small, regulatory RNAs that promote renal fibrosis and emerges as a serum biomarker for kidney diseases, but many questions await answers. This review was performed to sum up the role of miR-21 and its signaling pathways in renal diseases.     

MiRNA-664在肿瘤中的研究进展

近年来,研究者在肿瘤发生发展的相关研究中发现,microRNA-664(miR-664)很可能是一个在肿瘤发展进程中发挥重要作用的miRNA。和肿瘤周围的正常组织相比,在不同的肿瘤组织中,miR-664的表达水平有些出现升高,有些出现降低,因此,其在不同肿瘤中发挥的生物学功能也不尽相同。相关研究证实,miR-664可影响细胞的增殖、周期调控、再生等过程,而其在代谢、凋亡和自噬等生物学功能中发挥何种作用仍需进一步深入探究。更加系统的深入研究miR-664将有助于发掘其在基因靶向诊断与治疗领域中的应用。     

MiR-107 and MiR-185 Can Induce Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single stranded noncoding RNAs that suppress gene expression through either translational repression or degradation of target mRNAs. The annealing between messenger RNAs and 5′ seed region of miRNAs is believed to be essential for the specific suppression of target gene expression. One miRNA can have several hundred different targets in a cell. Rapidly accumulating evidence suggests that many miRNAs are involved in cell cycle regulation and consequentially play critical roles in carcinogenesis.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Introduction of synthetic miR-107 or miR-185 suppressed growth of the human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis revealed these miRNAs induce a G1 cell cycle arrest in H1299 cells and the suppression of cell cycle progression is stronger than that by Let-7 miRNA. By the gene expression analyses with oligonucleotide microarrays, we find hundreds of genes are affected by transfection of these miRNAs. Using miRNA-target prediction analyses and the array data, we listed up a set of likely targets of miR-107 and miR-185 for G1 cell cycle arrest and validate a subset of them using real-time RT-PCR and immunoblotting for CDK6.

Conclusions/Significance

We identified new cell cycle regulating miRNAs, miR-107 and miR-185, localized in frequently altered chromosomal regions in human lung cancers. Especially for miR-107, a large number of down-regulated genes are annotated with the gene ontology term ‘cell cycle’. Our results suggest that these miRNAs may contribute to regulate cell cycle in human malignant tumors.     

Circulating liver-specific microRNAs as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers of hepatic diseases in human

Context: Hepatitis is an endemic disease worldwide leading to chronic and debilitating cancers. The viral agents and hepatotoxic substances lead to damage of hepatocytes and release of damage associated molecules in circulation. The lack of timely and rapid diagnosis of hepatitis results in chronic disease.

Objective: The present review aimed to describe regulation, release and functions of microRNAs (miR) during human liver pathology and insights into their promising use as noninvasive biomarkers of hepatitis.

Methods: Comprehensive data were collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect and the Web of Science databases utilizing the keywords “biomarkers”, “microRNAs” and “hepatic diseases”.

Results: The miRs are readily released in the body fluids and blood during HBV/HCV associated hepatitis as well as metabolic, alcoholic, drug induced and autoimmune hepatitis. The liver-specific microRNAs including miR-122, miR-130, miR-183, miR-196, miR-209 and miR-96 are potential indicators of liver injury (mainly via apoptosis, necrosis and necroptosis) or hepatitis with their varied expression during acute/fulminant, chronic, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma.

Conclusions: The liver-specific miRs can be used as rapid and noninvasive biomarkers of hepatitis to discern different stages of hepatitis. Blocking or stimulating pathways associated with miR regulation in liver could unveil novel therapeutic strategies in the management of liver diseases.

• Clinical significance

• Liver specific microRNAs interact with cellular proteins and signaling molecules to regulate the expression of various genes controlling biological processes.

• The circulatory level of liver specific microRNAs is indicator of severity of HBV and HCV infections as well as prognostic and therapeutic candidates.

• The expression of liver specific microRNAs is strongly associated with infectious, drug-induced, hepatotoxic, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases.

     

血清IL-6、miR-17-5p水平与卵巢癌患者化疗后生存期的相关性分析

目的:分析血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、微小RNA-17-5p(miR-17-5p)水平与卵巢癌患者化疗后生存期的相关性。方法:选取行手术治疗联合术后化疗的65例卵巢癌患者作为病例组,选取50名健康体检者作为对照组,选取50例良性卵巢疾病患者作为良性疾病组,对病例组患者术前及术后14d的血清IL-6、miR-17-5p水平进行检测和比较,对良性疾病组和对照组研究对象的血清IL-6、miR-17-5p水平进行检测和比较,对病例组患者进行随访,对其总生存期(OS)和无疾病进展生存期(PFS)进行观察和比较。结果:病例组患者血清IL-6、miR-17-5p表达水平显著高于良性疾病组,良性疾病组患者的血清IL-6、miR-17-5p表达水平显著高于对照组,各组之间的差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。病例组患者术后14d血清IL-6、miR-17-5p表达水平较手术前显著下降,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。血清IL-6、miR-17-5p高表达的卵巢癌患者中TNM分期为Ⅲ~Ⅳ期的比例较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。血清IL-6、miR-17-5p高表达卵巢癌患者的OS和PFS明显短于血清IL-6、miR-17-5p低表达患者,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。血清IL-6和miR-17-5p同时呈现低表达的卵巢癌患者的OS和PFS水平最高,血清IL-6或miR-17-5p其中之一呈现高表达卵巢癌患者的OS和PFS水平居中,而血清IL-6和miR-17-5p同时呈现高表达的OS和PFS水平最低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:卵巢癌患者可表现为血清IL-6、miR-17-5p水平的显著升高,在手术治疗后,其水平会出现下降,术前较高的血清IL-6、miR-17-5p表达水平与较短的生存期和不良预后具有关联性,可作为预测患者预后的辅助指标。     

MicroRNA 16 enhances differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in a cardiac niche toward myogenic phenotypes in vitro

AimUpregulation of microRNA 16 (miR-16) contributed to the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) toward myogenic phenotypes in a cardiac niche, the present study aimed to determine the role of miR-16 in this process.Main methodshMSCs and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were co-cultured indirectly in two chambers to set up a cardiac microenvironment (niche). miRNA expression profile in cardiac-niche‐induced hMSCs was detected by miRNA microarray. Cardiac marker expression and cell cycle analysis were determined in different treatment hMSCs. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to identify the expression of mRNA, mature miRNA and protein of interest.Key findingsmiRNA dysregulation was shown in hMSCs after cardiac niche induction. miR-16 was upregulated in cardiac-niche‐induced hMSCs. Overexpression of miR-16 significantly increased G1-phase arrest of the cell cycle in hMSCs and enhanced the expression of cardiac marker genes, including GATA4, NK2-5, MEF2C and TNNI3. Differentiation-inducing factor 3 (DIF-3), a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest compound, was used to induce G1 phase arrest in cardiac-niche‐induced hMSCs, and the expression of cardiac marker genes was up-regulated in DIF-3-treated hMSCs. The expression of CCND1, CCND2 and CDK6 was suppressed by miR-16 in hMSCs. CDK6, CCND1 or CCND2 knockdown resulted in G1 phase arrest in hMSCs and upregulation of cardiac marker gene expression in hMSCs in a cardiac niche.SignificancemiR-16 enhances G1 phase arrest in hMSCs, contributing to the differentiation of hMSCs toward myogenic phenotypes when in a cardiac niche. This mechanism provides a novel strategy for pre-modification of hMSCs before hMSC-based transplantation therapy for severe heart diseases.     

Circulating plasma microRNAs in colorectal neoplasia: A pilot study in assessing response to therapy

IntroductionCurrent serological surveillance markers to monitor colorectal cancer (CRC) or colorectal advanced adenomas (CAA) are hampered by poor sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this study is to identify and validate a panel of plasma microRNAs which change in expression after resection of such lesions.MethodsA prospectively maintained colorectal surgery database was queried for patients in whom both pre- and post-procedural serum samples had been obtained. An initial screening analysis of CRC and CAA patients (5 each) was conducted using screening cards for 380 miRNAs. Four identified miRNAs were combined with a previously described panel of 7 miRNAs that were diagnostically predictive of CRC and CAA. Differential miRNA expression was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).ResultsFifty patients were included (n = 27 CRC, n = 23 CAA). There was no difference in age, gender, or race profile of CRC patients compared to CAA patients. Six miRNA were significantly increased after CRC resection (miR-324, let7b, miR-454, miR-374a, miR-122, miR-19b, all p<0.05), while three miRNAs were significantly increased following CAA resection (miR-454, miR-374a, miR-122, all p<0.05). Three miRNA were increased in common for both (miR-454, miR-374a, miR-122).DiscussionThe expression of miRNAs associated with neoplasia (either CRC or CAA) was significantly increased following surgical resection or endoscopic removal of CRC or CAA. Future studies should focus on the evaluation of these miRNAs in CRC and CAA prognosis.     

Can Micro RNA-24 Affect the Cardiovascular Morbidity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Targeting YKL-40?

Background:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with inflammatory nature. One of the leading causes of death in SLE patients is cardiovascular (CVS) morbidity. MiRNA-24 is highly expressed in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). This dysregulated expression pattern is associated with dysfunction or even damage of VECs and leads to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. YKL- 40 is an inflammatory glycoprotein involved in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction and thereby atherosclerosis. In this work, we aimed at illustrating the possible role of miR-24 and its target YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of the CVS morbidity associated with SLE.Methods:This work was conducted on 40 SLE patients and 40 healthy controls. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was done to estimate the expression level of miRNA-24 in serum. In addition, we measured the serum level of YKL-40 using ELISA.Results:miR-24-fold change was found to be down-regulated, whereas serum YKL- 40 was up-regulated among SLE patients with observed significant and negative correlation between the two parameters.Conclusion:Our study provided an insight about the role of miR-24 and its target serum YKL-40 protein in the development of SLE-related inflammation and atherosclerosis.Key Words: miRNA-24, SDC-1, SLE, VCAM, YKL-40     

支气管哮喘患者血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平与肺功能、气道炎症和糖皮质激素治疗敏感性的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨支气管哮喘（BA）患者血清微小核糖核酸（miR）-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平与肺功能、气道炎症和糖皮质激素（GC）治疗敏感性的关系。方法：选取2020年1月～2022年1月潍坊市人民医院收治的150例BA患者为BA组,根据BA患者GC治疗敏感性将其分为抵抗组43例和敏感组107例,另选取同期57名体检健康者为对照组。收集BA组、对照组肺功能和气道炎症指标资料,采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链式反应（qRT-PCR）检测两组血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平。通过Spearman相关性分析BA患者血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平与肺功能和气道炎症指标的相关性,单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析BA患者GC治疗抵抗的影响因素。结果：与对照组比较,BA组血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平和第1秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比（FEV₁％）、第1秒用力呼气容积/用力肺活量（FEV₁/FVC）、峰值呼气流速（PEF）降低,呼出气一氧化氮（FeNO）水平升高（P均＜0.05）。Spearman相关性分析显示,BA患者血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平与FEV₁％、FEV₁/FVC、PEF呈正相关,与FeNO水平呈负相关（P均＜0.05）。单因素分析显示,抵抗组体质指数＞24 kg/m²、吸烟比例高于敏感组,血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平低于敏感组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,体质指数＞24 kg/m²、吸烟为BA患者GC治疗抵抗的独立危险因素,血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p表达水平升高为其独立保护因素（P均＜0.05）。结论：BA患者血清miR-29a-3p、miR-98-5p水平降低,与肺功能下降、气道炎症和GC治疗抵抗有关。